Visiting Tokyo in January is not the obvious choice for most travelers, but it is one of the city's best-kept secrets. While the cherry blossoms in April and autumn leaves in November usually steal the spotlight, January offers clear blue skies, relatively mild winter temperatures, and smaller crowds. It is also the month when the first plum blossoms begin to bloom, adding some vibrant color to the city's gardens! If you are planning a trip, here is what you can expect from Tokyo in January, plus what to pack, where to go, and why Tokyo in January deserves a place on your itinerary.
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January is the coldest month of the year in Tokyo, but it is also one of the most comfortable times to explore the city. Average daytime highs sit around 50°F (10°C), while nighttime lows dip to 36°F (2°C). Compared to harsher winters in other parts of the world, Tokyo’s winter weather feels crisp but manageable, especially if you dress in layers.
Snow in central Tokyo is rare, but not impossible. On average, the city sees only a one or two snowy days each year, and when snowflakes do fall, they usually melt quickly. If you are looking for a true winter experience, complete with plenty of snow, you will need to head into the nearby mountains. Niigata is an easy day trip from Tokyo and will deliver plenty of winter scenery.
What makes Tokyo in January particularly appealing is the clarity of the skies. The air is dry, the humidity is low, and visibility is often excellent. This means you have a good chance of spotting Mt. Fuji from observation decks like Shibuya Sky or even on the horizon from Tokyo Disney. The days are shorter in January, with sunset just before 5:00 PM, but that timing sets the stage for cozy evenings in izakayas or admiring seasonal illuminations across the city.
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Packing smart is essential when traveling to Tokyo in January, without feeling weighed down by winter gear. The winter weather is chilly but not extreme, and with the right layers, sightseeing can be comfortable all day long.
Travelers coming from warmer climates may find Tokyo in January brisk at first, but with proper layers, the weather is very manageable, especially compared to cities in Europe and North America at the same time of year.
Jetset Seeker Pro Tip: If you are traveling to Japan with bulky winter clothes and are concerned about luggage space, we relied on a couple of Ziploc Space Bags. Other brands exist too, but the Ziploc ones are what we bought for our trip to Japan. They can wrinkle your clothes, so they are best used for puffer coats and sweaters that do not wrinkle easily. (Jetset Seeker is not sponsored by Ziploc or Amazon, these just truly make packing bulky coats, ski gear, and heavy sweaters so much easier for travel.)
Tokyo in January combines centuries-old traditions with modern seasonal experiences. From New Year shrine visits to the first signs of plum blossoms, the month offers cultural moments you will not see at other times of the year.
The most important seasonal event in Japan, hatsumōde, is the first shrine or temple visit of the year. From January 1–3, annually, crowds gather at places like Meiji Jingu Shrine and Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo to pray for health and good fortune. Even after the peak holiday period, smaller shrines remain busy throughout the month with seasonal charms and omamori (amulets) for sale.
It is not uncommon for businesses, tourist attractions, banks, and museums to close for the New Year holiday which is typically observed from December 29 through January 3 in Japan. Major department stores and chain stores will also traditionally close on January 1, but reopen again on January 2. If your visit to Tokyo overlaps with New Year celebrations, you may need to adjust your sightseeing itinerary to accommodate closures.
A highlight of the New Year celebrations unique to Tokyo is the Emperor's New Year Greeting, held on January 2nd at the Imperial Palace. On this day, the inner palace grounds open to the public (one of only two times each year that this happens) and the Imperial Family appears on a balcony to greet visitors. It is a rare opportunity to step inside the palace walls.
Many of Tokyo's winter light displays extend into mid-January, brightening up the long winter nights. Some of the most popular include Shinjuku, Meguro-gawa Minna no Illumination, Yebisu Garden Place, and Marunouchi. While the biggest crowds come in December, January is a quieter time to enjoy these displays.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is often lit in seasonal colors and actually features fun light displays year-round. For more information, please visit the Tokyo Night & Light website.
Nearby, the Shinjuku Southern Terrace glitters with trees wrapped in lights. The Shinjuku Southern Terrace lights last until Valentine's Day, so if you are heading to Tokyo towards the end of January and looking to see some festive winter lights, this is a great option for you.
Along the Meguro River, thousands of LED lights transform the riverside. While it is a smaller attraction than cherry blossom viewing in spring, it offers a similarly magical experience. For more information, please visit the TimeOut website.
This upscale shopping and dining complex features a giant Baccarat crystal chandelier, illuminated against the backdrop of the elegant plaza. The plaza also features a large Christmas tree, a European-style Christmas market, and an ice rink. For more information, check out the Tokyo Cheapo website.
Just steps from Tokyo Station, Marunouchi’s main street is lined with more than 800,000 champagne-colored LED lights. The contrast between the glowing trees and the business district’s polished towers makes it one of the city’s most sophisticated displays of holiday lights.
Cherry blossoms may be Japan's floral claim to fame, but ume (plum blossoms) begin to bloom as early as mid-January in Tokyo. Parks like Yushima Tenjin Shrine, Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, and Hanegi Park are among the best places to spot these beautiful pink flowers. However, plum blossoms can be spotted at many of the parks and gardens in Tokyo including Hamarikyu Gardens and Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden - two of my favorite gardens in Tokyo.
Beyond seasonal festivals and illuminations, January is a great month to explore Tokyo’s cultural and food scene at a slower pace. While you can certainly do everything listed on our Top Five Must-See Attractions and Museums in Tokyo in January, the month also offers some great opportunities to experience winter in the city. Clear skies, smaller crowds, and winter traditions make Tokyo in January especially rewarding.
January’s crisp air makes for the clearest, bluest skies of the year in Tokyo, giving you the best chance to spot Mt. Fuji! Head up to Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower, Shibuya Sky, or even the free viewing platform at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku.
Cold days are perfect for indoor exploration. My favorite museum in Tokyo is the Tokyo National Museum, located in Ueno Park. The Tokyo National Museum is Japan’s oldest and most comprehensive museum, home to over 100,000 artifacts spanning centuries of Japanese history and art. It is a must for anyone wanting a deeper understanding of the country’s cultural heritage, from samurai armor to Buddhist sculpture. The quieter crowds in January make the experience even more enjoyable.
For something more contemporary, teamLab Planets Tokyo in Toyosu immerses visitors in digital art installations where you walk barefoot through mirrored halls, glowing interactive rooms, and even shallow pools of water (although the water elements can feel less comfortable in winter, so make sure you dress accordingly). Other modern options include the Mori Art Museum in Roppongi Hills, known for its cutting-edge exhibitions paired with stunning skyline views, and the whimsical Ghibli Museum, which brings the imaginative worlds of Studio Ghibli films to life.
Tokyo’s department stores and fashion districts kick off the year with fukubukuro, or “lucky bags.” Starting around January 2nd or 3rd each year, these sealed bags, sold by department stores and popular brands, are filled with a mix of items sold at a deep discount. The catch is that you do not know exactly what is inside until you buy one. Some bags contain simple everyday items, while others can include luxury fashion, high-end cosmetics, or even electronics worth far more than the purchase price. Although, the most popular tend to sell out quickly or may require online reservations.
Even if you do not buy a fukubukuro, January is one of the best months for post-holiday shopping deals in neighborhoods like Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ginza.
Tokyo’s food scene shines in winter. Ramen is a classic choice for cold weather, with shops across the city serving everything from rich tonkotsu broths to lighter shoyu and miso variations. For something more communal, try nabe (hot pot), where meats, vegetables, and tofu simmer together at the table which is perfect for warming up after a day outdoors.
Soba noodles also have a seasonal connection in Japan. While they are eaten year-round, they play a special role during the New Year period, when toshikoshi soba is enjoyed as a symbol of longevity and to "cut off" the hardships of the prior year.
For a heartier winter dish, few meals beat a plate of Japanese curry. Rich, warming, and often served with rice and crispy katsu (fried pork cutlet), it is one of Japan’s most popular comfort foods and a must-try on a chilly January evening.
January is also peak season for Japanese strawberries, which are prized for their sweetness and often feature in desserts like shortcakes, parfaits, and mochi. If you find yourself in Harajuku in January, be sure to stop by Strawberry Fetish for tanghulu.
It might sound counterintuitive to visit gardens in the middle of winter, but Tokyo in January brings surprising bursts of color to the city's green spaces. While plum blossoms are the most famous winter bloom, you may also see daffodils, camellias, wintersweet (Japanese allspice), and even dramatic displays of winter peonies. Depending on the weather, you might even catch a few early-blooming winter cherry blossoms, which begin to appear in late January before peaking in mid-February. Parks like Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Hamarikyu Garden, Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, and Rikugien Garden are among the best places to appreciate Tokyo’s winter gardens.
A visit to Shinjuku Gyoen or Hamarikyu Gardens in winter also provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy traditional green tea in their teahouses, a peaceful way to warm up while taking in the seasonal scenery. These moments make Tokyo’s gardens just as rewarding in January as during peak spring bloom.
If you are looking to see winter peonies, then you will need to head to Ueno Toshogu Shrine. The shrine's garden features 40 different varieties of winter peonies! The garden opens annually beginning on New Year's Day and stays open until mid-February. The garden is open from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. There is a small admission fee of ¥700 for adults and ¥400 for children aged 6 to 12 to enter. While I sadly ran out of time to visit during my trip to Tokyo in January, visiting this shrine is high on my list for my next trip to Japan during the winter.
If you are looking to escape the city for a day, January is one of the best times to enjoy Tokyo’s surrounding landscapes.
Just a couple of hours from Tokyo, the Fuji Five Lakes region offers some of the most iconic views of Mt. Fuji. January’s crisp, clear air gives you an excellent chance of seeing the mountain in all its snow-capped glory. Whether you visit Lake Kawaguchiko for beautiful views or explore the smaller lakes for quieter perspectives, it is one of the most rewarding winter day trips from Tokyo.
Interested in visiting Fuji Five Lakes? Read more in our Fuji Five Lakes Travel Guide.
For snow and skiing, Gala Yuzawa in Niigata is one of the most convenient options from Tokyo. Thanks to a dedicated Shinkansen station in the bottom of the ski resort, you can leave Tokyo in the morning and be on the slopes in just over 75 minutes. Even if you are not an experienced skier, the resort offers rentals, lessons, and beautiful mountain views that make for a memorable winter outing.
Interested in learning more? Check out our Yuzawa Travel Guide.
If skiing is not your style, Hakone makes for a relaxing day trip from Tokyo in January. Located just 90 minutes from Tokyo, this mountain town is known for its hot springs, traditional ryokan inns, and open-air museums. January is an especially atmospheric time to visit, as soaking in an outdoor onsen with snow-dusted views of Mt. Fuji is one of the quintessential Japanese winter experiences. While I ran out of time to visit Hakone while I was in Japan in January 2024, one of my friends visited and raved about the experience! For more information about Hakone, check out this article from Japan Guide.
If you are interested in experiencing an onsen (Japanese hot springs), but are hesitant to go all the way to Hakone for the experience, Tokyo has several large-scale onsen complexes. These facilities provide you the opportunity to soak in mineral-rich baths, unwind in saunas, and even enjoy spa-style amenities. Oedo Onsen Monogatari (in Odaiba) was one of the most famous before it closed, but new facilities like Thermae-Yu in Shinjuku or Spa LaQua at Tokyo Dome City carry on the tradition. Spending a few hours at an onsen is the perfect way to recharge during a chilly January day in Tokyo.
Alternatively, consider booking a hotel in Tokyo that has onsens on-site. I stayed at a hotel with an onsen in Kyoto and it was the best way to relax and warm-up after a long day of sightseeing. Some highly-rated hotels with onsens in Tokyo are listed below:
Hydrate Beforehand: Hot spring bathing can be dehydrating. Drink water before and after your soak to avoid dizziness or feeling faint.
Like any time of year, January in Tokyo comes with its own set of advantages and challenges. For many travelers, the pros easily outweigh the cons, especially if you are looking for a calmer, more atmospheric experience of the city.
When Brian and I visited Tokyo in January 2024, we honestly had the best time! Even as Floridians, more accustomed to mild winters than chilly ones, we never found the city too cold for sightseeing. The only time we really felt the cold was on a day trip to see Mt. Fuji in Fuji Five Lakes, but the view was worth every numb finger. In fact, during our stay we were treated to views of Mt. Fuji on four separate occasions, a rare gift that made the clear winter skies unforgettable.
We never had snow in the city itself, but we found plenty of it when we headed into the mountains for a day trip to Yuzawa in Niigata. Back in Tokyo, the crowds were surprisingly manageable, and hotel room prices were significantly lower than in busier seasons, making it easier to enjoy the city at a slower pace and on a budget. The first plum blossoms added a quiet touch of spring, and the overall atmosphere felt both festive and relaxed.
If you are planning your own winter getaway, start with our Tokyo Travel Guide for an overview of the city, then dive deeper with our Tokyo itinerary for first-time visitors. If you are interested in exploring beyond Tokyo, our guide to day trips from Tokyo has some of our favorite ideas, while our Tokyo Disney Resort travel guide is perfect if you are planning a magical day at the parks.
Visiting Tokyo this winter? Share your travel dates in the comments below 👇, we would love to compare notes and help you make the most of your trip to Tokyo!